Susan talked to us about what it was like writing and illustrating the book, as well as some of her other favorite books!

Name:

Susan J. Logan

Hometown:

Vancouver, Washington 

Book Title:

The Christmas Ghost Boy

Describe your book in 10 words or less.

An exciting children’s story with a sweet Christmas message. 

What made you want to write your children’s book?

I had originally made it up orally for my grandchildren and they liked it. I love to write and draw so I proceeded to make it into a book. 

How long did it take you to write your book?

Well, it’s a process. A day to write it out, rewriting over several years on occasion, while working on other stories as well. Then at the urging of my daughter I drew the illustrations and completed it. I had no idea what to do next, so I had it copyrighted. Then I heard from Dorrance!

What do you do when you have writer’s block?

Stop and wait for the muse to return.

What was your favorite part to write and why?

The building of the suspense, and creating the children’s confidence in what they were discovering. Also, getting the wording at the ending just right. Why? Well, I guess when you feel you’ve nailed it it’s exhilarating!

What was it like completing your illustrations?

I was my own illustrator. I love to draw and I had the pictures in my mind. I worked hard on getting the children’s expressions to coordinate and enhance the storyline. I also found it challenging to make the ghost boy and his merging with his ‘toys’ into the sunshine. Also, since the story happens over several days I had to be accurate (e.g. matching the kids clothes to the right day.)

If you were stuck on a desert island and had to take just one person from each category who would they be and why?

–A friend or family member

My husband, Kim, because he would be the best companion. (AND if anyone could figure out how to get us rescued it would be him!)

–One fictional character

Natasha from War and Peace because she is a joyful caring soul and yet fascinating by being from such a different place and time.

–One famous person, alive or deceased

Wallace Stegnor. It would be the perfect opportunity for a writing workshop with the mentor I would be most thrilled to have. 

Besides writing, what are some of your hobbies?

Reading, drawing,  cooking, gardening,  swimming, socializing.

What did you enjoy most about working with Dorrance?

They were great! Especially the personal assistants assigned to me along the process, starting with the encouraging, warm and wise Brenda. Thank you!

What are your favorite books of all time?

War and Peace

Angle of Repose

Gone with the Wind

Long Day’s Journey Into Night

The Bible 

As far as children’s books, there are so so many but these definitely are in my top picks:

The Maggie B – by Irene Haas

Pierre – by Maurice Sendak

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble – by William Stieg

Madeline- by Ludwig Bemelmans

When We Were very Young  – by A.A. Milne

If you were to give advice to someone who wanted to write a children’s book, what would it be?

The best advice I’ve ever received came from a concert pianist and composer. She told me “It’s more about the process than the result. Just keep working at it.”

To add to that I would say: Formulas are for chemists. Be true to your own voice and ideas. Believe in yourself and have faith in your abilities. 

What do you hope your readers will take from this book?

An exciting story, and an enhanced understanding of the joy of giving.

Thank you, Susan!

You can purchase The Christmas Ghost Boy at the Dorrance Bookstore – use code JINGLE for 25% off!

Have a Christmas children’s tale you’d like to publish? Contact us!

The post Author Spotlight: Susan J. Logan, “The Christmas Ghost Boy” appeared first on Dorrance Publishing Company.

We spoke to Katherine about bringing this special book to life.

What made you want to write and publish this book?

Artemis John Korkidis after the loss of his beloved wife, Sophie, chose in his later years to write stories about his life and his experiences as a gift to his daughters and his grandchildren.

Written originally in Greek he asked his daughter, Dr. Katherine E.A, Korkidis, a writer, to do a translation of his writings so that all his grandchildren and their grandchildren could read it someday.

Katherine translated and combined two of her father’s four manuscripts, as well as added new content to create The AJK Anthology.

How long did it take to write the book?

It took Artemis 6 months to write his first two manuscripts. It took Katherine four months to completely translate and add content to her dad’s writings.

What was the most difficult part of putting this book together?

The most difficult part was securing the original photos in a higher resolution of the first executions during the German occupation.

What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?

My favorite story to translate and for my father to write was part 4: The Battle of Crete. He had written this story when we were very young children. Having lived through this difficult time for his homeland he wanted us to one day understand the bravery of people that fought for freedom. When I found this story amongst his manuscripts I had to add it to the Anthology. It was written from the memories of a young man.

Besides writing this book, what are your other interests?

My father was a philosopher and an intellectual, a loving husband and father. He loved to learn and read, particularly politics, and was always there to help all who knew him.

He loved to write, paint, spent time with his family, and inspire others. He was an avid painter and had created over 500 paintings of nature. He loved the natural world, the sea in particular. His first love was the sea. I am proud to be his daughter and give an audience to his many works. His legacy to all of us was his love of others, his thirst for education, and most of all his love for our natural world.

Katherine E. A. Korkidis is a PhD physicist and loves writing, teaching, and astrophysics. I am a classical pianist and love to sing and lector.

I love the natural world as did my father, particularly the sea. It serves as an inspiration for my writings. I am a writer of short fictional stories of various genres from science fiction to mystery and have also published my first novel four months ago called Josette, my second novel, Daniel, is being currently printed, and I am writing the third novel, Josette and Daniel, of this trilogy.

I have also written my own Anthology of my short stories to be published soon. I also like to write blogs for My Author’s Corner on My website is https://katherinekorkidisauthor.com/ and posts on my author’s FB page ( https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100079099482023). I have written websites and do freelance work as a graphics designer.

How did you celebrate the publishing of your book?

With my father now gone it was not a celebration but rather a realization of a promise delivered. I was proud of his works and my only regret was that I did not finish his book before his death.

If your book was made into a movie, who would play the main characters?

My father was a gentle man with much intelligence and understanding.

My favorite actor is Tom Hanks, particularly of his performance in “News of the World”.

In addition he loves the Greek Islands and with his wife who is of Greek descent, Rita Wilson, he is immersed in Greek Culture and history.

What did you enjoy most about working with Dorrance Publishing?

From the first step working with my sales consultant, updates from [company president] David Zeolla to inform me on the next step, and the experience of working with an excellent production and promotion team. The entire process was easy and very professional. I would have to say I enjoyed the editing process the most.

Five favorite books of all time?

My dad loved the philosophical works of Plato, Socrates and the tragedies of Sophocles and Euripides and of course the Iliad and the Odyssey by Homer.

I love the works of Dickens, particularly A Tale of Two Cities, The Christmas Carol, Great Expectations, and David Copperfield.

My favorite five works are Les Miserables by Victor Hugo, The Dubliners by James Joyce, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky and War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy. I have many other classical writers of British and Russian literature that I admire and enjoy reading.

Do you have any advice for anyone looking to preserve a family members’ writing through a book like The AJK Anthology?

Keep all photos and writings such as journals from members of your family, both young and old. Preserve them if you can. Take the time to piece together all in a written work. 

I would highly recommend to piece together through writings and photos into a timeline and record of your family’s history. Giving the gift of a family history is priceless for future generations.

Thank you, Dr. Korkidis!

You can purchase The AJK Anthology at the Dorrance Bookstore.

Have a family history book you would like to publish? Contact us!

The post Author Spotlight: Artemios Korkidis and Dr. Katherine Korkidis appeared first on Dorrance Publishing Company.

Name: Joy Winkie Viola

Hometown: Wayland, Massachusetts

Book Title: From Schnitzel to Nockerln And Everything That Happened In Between

Describe your book in 10 words or less.

Travel adventures, often humorous, about nature on all seven continents.

What made you want to write your book?

Before my husband died of COVID, I had been reading my old travel diaries to him. I realized there were many good stories within them that I thought others would enjoy.

What do you do when you have writer’s block?

Edit! I can always edit existing copy when the muse isn’t with me!

What was your favorite chapter to write and why?

Face to Face with a Polar Bear –  because it was such an unusual experience living in the tundra buggies, dealing with difficult weather conditions and being with the great bears. I really wanted to share that multi-faceted adventure.

If you were stuck on an island had to choose who to be with of the following, who would you choose?

-One friend or family member: Shane Dore, my great nephew. He’s an Eagle Scout!

-One fictional character: Shadow, he Golden retriever in the movie Homeward Bound

-One famous person: Betty White

Besides Writing, what are your other interests? Travel, birding, gardening, Golden Retriever Rescue, reading mysteries and spy novels.

Do you keep a journal?

Always when traveling – those journals were the basis for my book.

How did you celebrate the publishing of your book?

I had a great book launch at our local country club with hors d’oeuvres and a string trio from our local symphony playing classical music. 90 people attended.

If your book was made into a movie, who would play the characters?

That’s a tough question because the book spans so many decades of our lives.  Maybe Jessica Chastain could play me and Channing Tatum my husband. They are both in their 40’s so that’s midstream – not that this would ever happen!

What did you enjoy most about working with Dorrance Publishing? The editing process as I had so many unusual terms, names of bird species etc. for which we had to develop style that wasn’t in the Chicago Manual.

What are your 5 favorite books?

1) The Unlikely Spy (because it was Daniel Silva’s first book – and he’s now one of my favorites

2) All Creatures Great and Small (Because I love animals)

3) Cry of the Kalahari ( Because it was a wonderful story about African wildlife)

4) The Last Train to London (because it parallel’s my husband’s childhood experience in World War 11)

5) The Little Engine That Could (childhood book, but inspiring theme)

One sentence of advice for other writers:

Be consistent. Once you decide to write a book, stay with it daily.

Thank you, Joy!

Do you have a memoir you are itching to publish? Contact us!

The post Author Spotlight: Joy Winkie Viola appeared first on Dorrance Publishing Company.

Name: Stephen Rubino

Hometown: Washington, DC

Book Title: Act of Faith

Genre: Historical Fiction

Dorrance Publishing (DP): Describe your book in 10 words or less.

Stephen Rubino (SR): A behind the curtain look at the global abuse scandal.

DP: What made you want to write your book?

SR: The arc of all of the personalities that were involved in the scandal has never been put in one place for a dramatic presentation that are rooted in actual events. They needed to be. Unfortunately the toxicity of the sexual abuse cycle is permanent. Recovery from this is more akin to managing the randomness of the reoccurring memories as opposed to recovery as is generally understood. 

DP: How long did it take you to write your book?

SR: 4.5 years.

DP: What do you do when you have writer’s block? 

SR: I keep writing and visualize the dialog(the actual people  of the next scene. It usually works and gets things going again. I am also a big proponent of relaxing the conscious part of the brain and just before bedtime lay down with a belief that the writing problem will get worked through in the subconscious enough so to get a solution the next day. This has worked for me for over 40 years. May not work for anyone else but that is what I do.

DP: What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?

SR: Chapter 8 Running Into the Darkness. Elizabeth is impulsive and for the first time she agrees to try and unpack her abuse memories with her first love who she has not seen in thirty years. Her first love happens to be a Catholic priest. Humor, awkwardness, despair, anger, resilience, determination and fear all come together in one chapter.

DP: If you were stuck on an island and had to have one person from each category with you, who would they be and why?

-One friend or family member:

SR: My Uncle Joe who was a master stone carver. Would want to know more of the story of his immigration from Italy and his training as a stone carver. I should have asked more questions when I had him in my life. 

-One fictional character:

SR: Jack Ryan from Tom Clancy novels.

-One famous person (living or dead):

SR: Coretta Scott King. From 2010-2013 I was CEO of the King Estate and managed the world wide rights of MLK’s intellectual property. After the assassination she raised four children that had experienced significant trauma. That is an amazing feat in my opinion. Would love to talk to her about that.

DP: Besides writing, what are your other interests?

SR: We make maple syrup in Vermont and I enjoy woodlot stewardship (400 acres) immensely.

DP: Do you keep a journal?

SR: Yes.

DP: How did you celebrate the publishing of your book?

SR: Did not celebrate, too early in the process.

DP: If your book was made into a movie, who would play the main characters?

SR: Jennifer Lawrence as Elizabeth, Colin Firth as Tom Atkinson, Ray Abruzzo as Anthony Courso.

DP: What did you enjoy most about working with Dorrance Publishing?

SR: The marketing. Both the cover and manuscript had been previously developed and professionally edited for content, substance and style prior to submission.

DP: Five favorite books of all time?

SR: No Ordinary Time by Doris Kearns Goodwin

T-Rex and the Crater of Doom Walter Alvarez

The Last Lion by William Manchester

Hunt for Red October Tom Clancy

Titan by Ron Chernow

DP: One sentence of advice for other writers:

SR: If you think you can’t, you won’t; if you think you can you will. I do not own that sentiment. It has appeared in dozens of places and differing formats, but is what I lived by and taught my children.

Thank you, Stephen!

Ready to start your journey to becoming a published author? Contact us!

The post Author Spotlight: Stephen Rubino appeared first on Dorrance Publishing Company.

Name: Stacy LaLuzerne

Hometown: Sturgeon Bay, WI

Book Title: Long Road Home: Bouncing Back After Abuse

Genre: Psychology, Self-Help

Dorrance Publishing (DP): Describe your book in 10 words or less.

Stacy LaLuzerne (SL): Understanding emotional abuse and showing that therapy can help.

DP: What made you want to write your book?

SL: To help people see that abuse doesn’t define who you are – you can become stronger by seeking help. Also, to try to break the stigma around mental health; to help people realize keeping their mental health intact is as important as their physical health.

I had actually been thinking about writing a book for a while and then I had a dream one night that I was doing so. In my dream, I remember writing everything down. I woke up and, in my heart, I knew I had to get this on paper. So, I took the day off and just started writing what I remembered from my dream. It flowed very naturally.

DP: How long did it take you to write your book?

SL: The initial story, I wrote in that one day. It took me eight hours straight, but I just kept writing until I felt like it was out of my head. Of course, there were many additions and subtractions after that initial eight hours.  From starting to put the words on paper to all the editing, it was about two months.

DP: What do you do when you have writer’s block?   

SL: With this short book, I didn’t have writer’s block. Now, the fiction story I am working on now, I am definitely having some! I decided to take a break from it for a while hoping that the ebb and flow comes back.

DP: What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why?

SL: My favorite part to write was the therapy sessions because I wanted the reader to “feel” the healing process. Putting words on the paper was only part, re-reading and having others give me feedback, to portray the feelings involved, was trickier and became my goal.

DP: If you were stuck on an island and had to have one person from each category with you, who would they be and why:

-One friend or family member:

SL: My daughter because she is my light; she makes me a better person. Plus, she would make being stuck on an island fun!

-One fictional character:

SL: Phoebe from Friends. I love her quirkiness; I think she would keep the island entertained!

-One famous person (living or dead):

SL: Miranda Lambert. She seems so down-to-earth, and I feel like we are similar in how we think and express our thoughts. Plus, she could play guitar and I could sing her songs along with her!

DP: Besides writing, what are your other interests?

SL: I enjoy reading as well as writing. I love all kinds of music and concerts. I also enjoy outdoor activities in warm weather; you will find me on the beach or by the water as much as possible! Other than that, I enjoy gardening, vegetables and/or flowers!  A lot of my time is spent with family and friends.

DP: Do you keep a journal?

SL: I have one, but I used to be better about writing in a journal. I go in phases. I find that writing in a journal is very helpful if I am stressed or having a hard time making my mind up about something. For some reason, seeing it on paper makes it clearer to help me find an answer.

DP: How did you celebrate the publishing of your book?

SL: I haven’t celebrated yet, but I will get together with family and friends and share all the good vibes with everyone!

DP: If your book was made into a movie, who would play the main characters?

SL: I think Sally Pressman does a great job at playing characters in dramas; I especially thought she did a good job in Army Wives. I would have Charles Esten play Tom – he did a great job playing his character in Outer Banks, as well as in Nashville.

DP: What did you enjoy most about working with Dorrance Publishing?

SL: Dorrance Publishing has been wonderful to work with! Everyone has been friendly and always keeps me up to date. I am proud to be a Dorrance author!

DP: Five favorite books of all time?

SL: This is hard to answer! I love so many books, but after I read them, I always donate them for others to enjoy and have a hard time remembering the titles! I love a good mystery or love story. I also went through a phase where I was reading a lot of self-help books, which is why I know how important they can be!

DP: One sentence of advice for other writers:

SL: Just believe in yourself!

Thanks Stacy!

Ready to publish your book? Contact us!

The post Author Spotlight: Stacy LaLuzerne appeared first on Dorrance Publishing Company.

Hometown: Metairie, LA

Book: Simone.

Genre: Fiction

DP: Describe your book in 10 words or less. 

SP: Juicy and a great read.

DP: What made you want to write your book? 

SP: Well, I always wanted to write a book, I just needed to take the time to do it. I didn’t know where the words were going to come from, but I knew I wanted to make my mark on life somehow. I was also going through a divorce and needed something to take my mind off what was going on at the time.

DP: How long did it take you to write your book? 

SP: It took about six months to write my book.

DP: How do you choose the names of your characters? 

SP: Most of the time it just comes to me! I think to myself, “How would this name fit this particular character?” and then the selection just pops up in my head. Sometimes I would search online to look up a name if I can’t make a proper decision.

DP: What do you do when you have writer’s block? 

SP: When I have writer’s block, I get away from my workspace–no matter the time–and I walk around my neighborhood. I find that walking opens my mind and allows me to get my gears going again.

DP: What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why? 

SP: My favorite part to write was the telling of how Simone’s parents met back in the 70s. It was my favorite part to write our of the book because I am sort of fascinated by the culture of the 70s.

DP: If you were stuck on an island and had to have one person from each category with you, who would they be and why? 

SP: One character from your book:  My main character, Simone. We have a lot in common, so time would fly by just with us blabbing away about our lives, making jokes while surviving on the island. 

One fictional character: Nola Darling from Spike Lee’s She’s Gotta Have It. It is a series on Netflix that tells the life of this independent artist. She reminds me of myself in my younger years and I believe we’d mesh well, with discussions of life, men and art.

One famous person: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I would love to pick his brain on what he thinks of society as a whole and if he thinks we have truly progressed when it comes to equality and tolerance.

DP: Besides writing, what are your other interests?  

SP: My other interests are shopping, dining out, walking, listening to music and I am an amateur at playing guitar.

DP: Do you keep a journal? 

SP: No. I do not keep a journal because every time I started one in the past, I never kept up with it.

DP: How did you celebrate the publishing of your book? 

SP: I smoked a cigar.

DP: If your book was made into a movie, who would play the main characters?   

SP: If I had the pleasure of my book being made into a movie, I would have model Mame Adjei as Simone, Ryan Gosling as Michael and Wilson Cruz as Adon.

DP: What did you enjoy most about working with Dorrance Publishing? 

SP: I enjoyed how they kept in touch with me over the tiniest detail and were considerate and professional at the same time.

DP: Five favorite books of all time?

SP: Little Black Girl Lost Books 1-5 by Keith Lee Johnson

DP: One sentence of advice for other writers? 

SP: Never stop writing no matter how long it takes to finish your book–I guarantee someone will love it!

Are you ready to publish your book? Contact us today!

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The post Author Spotlight: Shalonda Phox appeared first on Dorrance Publishing Company.

Name: 

Hometown: New Castle, IN (I now live in Angola, IN)

Books: Scooter and His Scoot Scoot, A Dog Named Bird, Rough and Tough T-Bone

Genre: Children’s Books

DP: Describe your books in 10 words or less. 

AS: Rhyming picture books focused on empathy, acceptance, and courage.

DP: What made you want to write your book?

AS: I wanted to start writing children’s books because I have spoken to many groups about my experiences of navigating through life in a wheelchair due to a diving accident 13 years ago and overcoming obstacles, but I wanted to find a better way to connect and relate to a younger crowd. My first book, Scooter and His Scoot Scoot, is about a dog who was born different so he needs to use a “wheelchair.” I have been able to visit many schools and share Scooter’s story, and then relate my life to Scooter. I continued to write and my second book is titled A Dog Named Bird, and my third that is currently in the publishing process is titled Rough and Tough T-Bone. All of my books focus on accepting differences, overcoming obstacles, empathy, and just an overall feeling of love and respect.

DP: How long did it take you to write your book? 

AS: Scooter and His Scoot Scoot took me about three to four months to write.

AS: I actually came up with Scooter’s name after I decided that I wanted to call his “wheelchair” Scoot Scoot. A friend of mine had a company car that she drove for work, and she referred to it as Scoot Scoot because it was such a tiny car. The moment she said that I knew that was what I wanted to name the “wheelchair” in my book!

DP: What do you do when you have writer’s block? 

AS: If I have writer’s block I just have to set everything aside for a little bit. I have to come up with some of my best ideas when I go for a “roll” around the lake where I live while listening to my favorite
music. The best tip I can give is that anytime you come up with ideas for your writing, you should always write it down. No matter what you are doing, just take a moment to make a note, because you may think you will remember, but you do not want to risk the chance of forgetting a great idea!+

DP: What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why? 

AS: My favorite part of all of my books is the very first page that describes and introduces the main character because I want anyone who reads it to really feel like they know the character.

DP: If you were stuck on an island and had to have one person from each category with you, who would they be and why? 

AS: One character from your book:  Scooter, because he is so relatable to my experiences and I created his personality off of my own.

One fictional character: Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games. If she can survive the Hunger Games, then I want her on my team!

One famous person: I think the wisest choice here is Bear Grylls. If you have any chance of surviving on an island, it would be with him!

DP: Besides writing, what are your other interests? 

AS: Some of my favorite things to do are watching movies, spending time with my family and friends, traveling in our adapted  RV, watching any kind of sport (especially fast pitch softball), motivational speaking, spending time on the water, and going to concerts.

DP: Do you keep a journal? 

AS: I do not keep a journal, but I have two blogs: www.annieauthorblog.wordpress.com and www.sixwheelswilltravel.wordpress.com.

DP: How did you celebrate the publishing of your book? 

AS: I celebrated the publishing of my first book by having a small get together at my best
friend’s house where I signed and sold my books.

DP: If your book was made into a movie, who would play the main characters? 

AS: The main character would be Scooter. He has a group of dog friends, but the focus of the story is on Scooter, and despite being different he can still do everything that everybody else does.

DP: What did you enjoy most about working with Dorrance Publishing? 

AS: My favorite part of publishing with Dorrance was seeing my story come to life. It was so exciting to see the cover of my book and all of the illustrations!

DP: Five favorite books of all time?

AS: The Art of Racing in the Rain, Oh, the Places You’ll Go!, The Five People You Meet in Heaven, Night, 1984.

DP: One sentence of advice for other writers? 

AS: The best advice that I can share is to never stop writing, and sometimes the hardest things to write about can end up being your meaningful and best work.

The post Author Spotlight: Annie Streit appeared first on Dorrance Publishing Company.

Hometown: Idaho

Book: Grandpa’s Boots

Genre: Children’s Books

1. Describe your book in 10 words or less. A sweet story about a little girl and her Grandpa.
2. What made you want to write your book?  Every summer growing up, I would visit my Grandparents who lived in Hawaii and I loved going to help my Grandpa on his ranch. I had so many fond memories that I wanted to put some of those happy times in a children’s book to share with others.
3. How long did it take you to write your book? The actual writing probably took me a couple of weeks. I had some hold ups on illustrators so I had been waiting for about five years before I decided to publish with Dorrance and use one of the illustrators there.
4. How do you choose the names of your characters? I use the first name that pops into my head when I am writing. Even if I try to change it later, I usually end up liking that first name I think of best.
5. What do you do when you have writer’s block? Listen to some of my favorite music or go spend some time with family and friends to relax and refresh.
6. What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why? I love the part at the end when Klair gets her own pair of boots, because I feel like it was a touching way to show the relationship between a little girl and her Grandpa.
7. If you were stuck on an island and had to have one person from each category with you, who would they be and why? 
   1. One character from your book: Grandpa, becaue he is a hard worker and reliable.
   2. One fictional character: Hermoine from Harry Potter, because she is spunky and a great problem solver.
   3. One famous person: Lindsey Stirling, because we would have awesome music to keep our spirits high.
8. Besides writing, what are your other interests?  I love to read, watch movies, ride horses, ride ATVs in the mountains, relax by the water and spend time with friends and family.
9. Do you keep a journal? I used to, but I have switched to documenting my life with photobooks.
10. How did you celebrate the publishing of your book? I read it to my children–super fun experience for me!
11. If your book was made into a movie, who would play the main characters? Robert Duvall to play Grandpa and Austyn Johnson as Klair.
12. What did you enjoy most about working with Dorrance Publishing? How friendly everyone was and how smooth the whole process was.
    
13. Five favorite books of all time? The Giver by Lois Lowry, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis, The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling, The Host by Stephanie Meyer and favorite children’s book is Pingo by Brandon Mull.
    
14. One sentence of advice for other writers? Don’t give up and never lose your inner child.

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The post Author Spotlight: Louise Davis appeared first on Dorrance Publishing Company.

Hometown: Philadelphia, PA

Book: The Road to Knowledge

Genre: Fiction

1. Describe your book. In my book, The Road to Knowledge, the road means life, and knowledge means wisdom, and wisdom is something that every child can achieve.
2. What made you want to write your book? I wanted to teach and prepare my grandchildren for life.
3. How long did it take you to write your book? It took me about nine months.
4. How do you choose the names of your characters? When I did my research on the Gullah People, I came across many different names, out of which I randomly chose names that I felt had an African sound.
5. What do you do when you have writer’s block? I stop writing and try to relax, pray or meditate. Then, when I feel spiritually connected to my creature, I will begin or start writing all over again.
6. What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why? My favorite part of the story was when Tamba was on his own and had to draw strength from within. Out of this, his character and life skills came to be his parents’ teachers on life.
7. If you were stuck on an island and had to have one person from each category with you, who would they be and why? 
   1. One character from your book:  Tamba because he is on the road to knowledge, a place where the highest form of knowledge is wisdom.
   2. One fictional character: Beast, from Beauty and the Beast, because his beauty comes from inside and I believe that it would show on the outside in him being loving and caring.
   3. One famous person: W.E.B. Du Bois because he was before Dr. King and did lots of research to help him lead black people to freedom, starting with the NAACP.
8. Besides writing, what are your other interests? Bible study, watching sports, walking, working for the Red Cross and Salvation Army, and feeding homeless people.
9. Do you keep a journal? No.
10. How did you celebrate the publishing of your book? The first thing I did was call my daughter, who told my son-in-law and grandchildren. I heard their excitement and felt joy, which will last me a lifetime.
11. If your book was made into a movie, who would play the main characters? The title characters would be Denzel Washington and Samuel L. Jackson. They are good actors who would compliment my work on African-American culture.
12. What did you enjoy most about working with Dorrance Publishing? Whenever I needed help, someone was always there to answer my question or help me understand and teach me how the publishing company works.
    
13. Five favorite books of all time?  The Autobiography of Malcolm X, Dick Gregory’s Life Story, Any Poetry Books, Chief Joseph Story, African-American History.
    
14. One sentence of advice for other writers?  Use the staff at Dorrance to learn all you can about publishing your book. They are true professionals.

The post Author Spotlight: Moses Wilson III appeared first on Dorrance Publishing Company.

Hometown: Ashland, OR and Redding, CA

Book: Argentine Assignment,  Belize Barter, China Caper, Mexican Marimbas, Peru Paradox, and Russian Ruse

Genre: Fiction

1. Describe your series. My series is about an Ashland, Oregon young woman who becomes embroiled with the CIA. They send her on assignment in various nations, all of which are accurately described because I have traveled to them, some more than once. I lived in some and worked in others.
2. What made you want to write The Briana Series? I have always written…book reviews, travel articles for the Los Angeles Times, as well as for several magazines for women. As silly as it sounds, I couldn’t stop writing…I’m almost devastated that Russian Ruse is my final novel in the book series.
3. How long did it take you to write your book? Each book usually took a few months to write, proof, and then send off.  (Writing is the easiest part…proofing is “sweat time.”) Mexican Marimbas was probably my favorite because I’ve traveled and worked in that country.
4. How do you choose the names of your characters? I chose the names for my characters by carefully avoiding the names of my friends and acquaintances.
5. What do you do when you have writer’s block? When I have writer’s block, I change my surroundings, but carry writing materials with me….a yellow pad and a couple of pens.  I find a spot where I can watch the “world go by” in somewhat quiet, but not “still”…..and I read my last two or three paragraphs, check my small outline….and it sends me “off into writing land”….so I write.  I try to write at least 1500 words at a time.
6. What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why? My favorite chapter to write (in all my books) is a chapter that gives a real feeling for the people and place about which I’m writing.  I try to keep it accurate, based on my own observations when I traveled to those countries.  In some minor way, I hope to encourage people to travel to those countries, understanding, thanks to my books, about the personalities …and maybe problems…they will/might meet when in the particular country.  Not “preaching” of course, just enough information to give a reader some idea of the challenges and delights they would find if they, too, went to said country.
7. If you were stuck on an island and had to have one person from each category with you, who would they be and why? 
   1. One character from your book:  Briana my lead character in the six-book series, she’s competent, bright. (And maybe funny.)
   2. One fictional character: I would absolutely love to have Jo March, the heroine of the old series from Little Women….she was “gutsy” and willing to try anything, funny, not always popular with her family, honest …..just a super person.  
   3. One famous person: No one other than Winston Churchill—smashingly smart, clever, and also competent–and with a not-always-welcome fun streak…but I’d love it.
8. Besides writing, what are your other interests? My main love is to travel.  I’ve been to 58 countries, sometimes as a volunteer for a wonderful outfit called Global Volunteers, sited in the Midwest.  I’ve been to China five times. I worked on building a wonderful modern school which took the place of a tiny, old-fashioned one-room school.  I also “worked” in a hotel in China’s capital city, to give advice to workers there.  Driving through Mexico is a “lesson” in itself, so I went from the U.S. border to the border of Central American nations.  Christmas in Mexico City is a glorious, wonderful celebration…no matter what are one’s beliefs.  My children often traveled to Mexico with me.  The things I learned and observed from my travels are represented in my books, giving them a “true” sticker regarding my observations.  Traveling across Russia by train is “replicated” in my last book of the Briana series, Russian Ruse.  Things mentioned in that book represent some of my observations in that long, long train trip.  Of course, Europe is a wonderland for a travel-lover. I took groups of students there when I was a high school teacher.  They learned so much, but so did I!     Travel should be a “must” for everyone; it truly is an education in itself, and makes one not only appreciate countries visited but makes us appreciate the U.S. even more when we cross the border to return to U.S. soil.
9. Do you keep a journal? I have kept a journal, but am finding it a time-impediment to writing. Although I always carry a notepad and several pens (people laugh at mine, located on a sweater or blouse at my throat for easy reaching) and when an idea strikes…I jot it down.
10. How did you celebrate the publishing of your books? Believe it or not, I’m pretty shy, so it was hard to celebrate! But I spread the word in the community where I live, mentioned it to people who have bought my books before, and contacted local bookstores.
11. If your book was made into a movie, who would play the main characters?  I seldom go to movies, but here’s a suggestion:  I’d like to have the main character in my novels played by some actress who has dark hair who is slender (hmm.  I must be overweight!), and has a few very basic self-defense skills.  Someone smart and willing to take on a challenge.
12. What did you enjoy most about working with Dorrance Publishing? Dorrance Publishing has always responded quickly, competently, and fully to any of my concerns and requests. 
    
13. Five favorite books of all time? That’s hard!   As a child: any Nancy Drew story was # 1; as an adult:  non-fiction, such as the new Comey book draws me,  but Mary Higgins Clark (except her latest novel) draws my reading attention to strong characters, action, some danger, and a satisfying resolution.  I do not read “bodice-rippers” but find political stories, and stories of an individual’s clash with nature or with some “evil ” individual, creating action, danger, and a satisfying conclusion….where the good conquers the evil…..and certainly toss in some romance,  but not too detailed.  
    
14. One sentence of advice for other writers? Just get your computer fixed, make sure you have ink in your printer, then attach your seat to a seat and at least lay out the general idea you have about the story….then WRITE, WRITE, WRITE.

The post Author Spotlight: Chloe Ryan Winston appeared first on Dorrance Publishing Company.